WELLINGTON - Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mark Duper will attend a fundraiser for a local girl recently diagnosed with leukemia. The event, which will feature a chicken wing-eating contest, will take place at Gypsy's Horse Irish Pub and Restaurant, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., 1 p.m. Sunday Oct. 4 at the pub.

"I am humbled," said Larry Wolfe of the Acreage and father of 13-year-old Courtney Wolfe. Wolfe said he randomly met Duper at the hospital and when Duper heard about Courtney's condition he immediately asked if he could attend the event. Wolfe said Duper has offered to auction himself off, raffle off some of his memorabilia and give Courtney a signed jersey of his.

Wolfe said he overheard Duper saying to someone at the hospital: "I guess there was a reason I came to the hospital…to help that little girl."

Wolfe said he was deeply touched by Duper's generosity.

"This is definitely one of the biggest challenges I've [faced] in my life," Wolfe said.

The fundraiser is being organized by the The Palm Beach County FOOLS (Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society). Wolfe is the Captain of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue fire station 32 B in Lake Worth.

Wolfe said his daughter is currently in remission but will still have to face 2 and a half years of treatment.

"It's hard to see my 13-year-old go through this," he said. "She used to be very active. She has good days and bad days. I'm very proud of her. She still has a strong spirit."

The event will also feature a live band, 50/50 raffle, silent auction and those participating in the chicken wing eating contest will receive free beer while supplies last.

Call Organizer Tony Andrewson at 561-632-0009 for more information.

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The Village of Wellington sent out a call to artists to participate in its fifth year of its Susan P. Bradford Art in Public Places Program. The deadline is 5 p.m. Oct. 9.

The art pieces will be displayed in various locations around the village from January to August. They usually accept between 25 and 35 pieces of work. All artists residing in the U.S. are eligible, but local artists are encouraged to participate.

Artists will have to loan or donate their artwork for a one-year display in village facilities and public places. All artwork should be freestanding or in display form, framed or mounted. All forms of media will be considered.

"This is to provide an atheistic program that exposes local artists to residents in the community," said Nicole Evangelista, community projects manager.

Earlier this year the village renamed its public art program after Susan G. Bradford. Bradford, a well-known Wellington artist, who died last year. She was actively involved in the Wellington Art in Public Places Program from its inception in 2004. She was also known in the Wellington area and across the nation for her murals.

"[Susan] was involved in the art in public places since the beginning," Evanglista said. "She was very influential in the art community in Wellington."

Guidelines of the program include:

1. Participant must complete a Public Art On-Loan/Donation Application.

2. Artwork shall reflect a broad variety of styles and support community interests such as our emphasis on children, families, seniors and equestrian interests.

3. Artwork shall have aesthetic and technical merit and shall be appropriate for the site or sites in the Village of Wellington.

Call Evangelista at 561-791-4733, or e-mail her at nevangelista@ci.wellington.fl.us.

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WELLINGTON - St. Michael Lutheran Church in Wellington is hosting it's first "Paws for a Blessing" event where they will hold a blessing of the animals 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. The event will also be a fundraiser for Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League in West Palm Beach. Attendees are asked to bring canned pet food.

"I've done some research on pet blessings and I've found that it touches people spiritually because they have such a connection to their animals," said Pastor Marjorie Weiss. "It helps them be connected to God. I haven't attended one before so it'll be a first for me. It will be a great draw for the community and it'll benefit a charity."

She said the date coincides with St. Francis of Assisi's feast date of Oct. 4. Francis is the patron saint of animals.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is sponsoring the event. Financial Representative Donna Tagg is organizing the fundraiser.

"The animals are not getting enough attention as they should be during this economic time. Hopefully some people will come out and adopt some pets," she said. "We would just love to have everyone come out and join us and bring some food for the animals. As we say four legged and two legged are welcome."

Peggy Adams' Pet Mobile will also be at the event.

"They will have a number of furry friends ready for adoption," Weiss said. "Many of God’s creatures need a good home."

Weiss is hoping for at least 50 people to show up.

For people that can't attend but would still like to donate they're asking that donations be dropped off at the church, 1925 Birkdale Drive, on the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Birkdale. The drop-off hours are Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to noon.

Call Pastor Marjorie Weiss at 561-793-4999 or Donna Tagg or 561-762-3185 for more information.

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WELLINGTON - Mayor Darell Bowen of Wellington will present a "State of the VIllage" address to business leaders and owners at this month's Wellington Chamber of Commerce luncheon at noon on Wednesday at the Wellington Community Center, 12165 W. Forest Hill Boulevard.

Bowen will update those attending on the village's accomplishments and challenges that the village has faced.

The cost is for members with RSVP is $20; Members without RSVP $25; and non-members and general public $30.

Call 561-792-6525 for reservations.

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WELLINGTON - The village of Wellington had planned on switching to a four-day work week starting the week of Sept. 28. Most of the village offices would have been closed on Fridays and had extended hours Monday through Thursday.

Final review and approval of the new schedule will now take place Sept. 29. The Village will now operate under a transitional schedule starting Sept. 28 until further notice.

The new schedule is as follows:

Regular office hours for Administration:
· 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday
· 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday

Regular office/lobby hours for Planning & Zoning, Code Compliance, Building & Customer Service:
· 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday (phones will be answered until 6 p.m.)
· 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday (phones will be answered until 5 p.m.)

Recreation will continue to operate Monday through Friday under normal operating hours (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and on weekends as scheduled.

Safe Neighborhoods will continue to operate Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Royal Palm Beach - The village of Royal Palm Beach is now accepting applications for its eighth annual Fall Fantasy Craft Show that will take place Saturday, Nov. 21 at Veterans Park.

Cost for vendors will be $35 for a covered space and $20 for an open 10-by-10 space. The village will be renting tables for $10 and chairs for $3. All of the items that will be put up for sale must be handmade craft products. Applications can be picked up at the RPB Cultural Center, 151 Civic Center Way.

Call 790-5149 for more information.

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WEST PALM BEACH – State Sen. Joe Negron endorsed Lizbeth Benacquisto’s campaign for Senate District 27 Sept. 14. Negron, was elected last month to the State Senate in a special election to replace Sen. Ken Pruitt.

“The time for leadership in Tallahassee is now, and I know we can trust Lizbeth Benacquisto to be a champion for Florida,” Negron said in a prepared statement. “Lizbeth understands the frustrations and concerns of the residents in District 27 and all Floridians. She will work hard to hold the line on taxes and create more economic opportunities for us.”

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WELLINGTON - The Wellington Garden Club meets Monday, Sept. 14 for a luncheon with Jose Esposito, president of Soroa Orchids, as the featured speaker.

The lunch will start at 11:30 a.m. at the Wellington Communtiy Center, 12165 Forest Hill Blvd.

Esposito is a founding member of the International Orchid Alliance and he will be speaking about orchid culture and giving live demonstrations.

The public is welcome but seating is limited. Call 798-9217 or 793-6013 if you'd like to attend.

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